Our two Pocono Mountains homes sit within a few miles of each other around Lake Harmony and Arrowhead Lake, roughly two hours from both New York City and Philadelphia. It is close enough for a long weekend and far enough that the phone signal drops in the right places. Here is what is actually worth doing once you have unpacked.
Jack Frost and Big Boulder
Our Lake Harmony townhome is part of the Snow Ridge Village community at the base of Jack Frost Mountain, so in winter you are minutes from the lifts. Jack Frost and its sister resort Big Boulder share a lift ticket; Jack Frost is the better mountain for families and intermediate skiers, Big Boulder is where the terrain park crowd goes and it stays open into the evening. Both do snow tubing, which is the honest answer for anyone who does not want to ski. In summer, Jack Frost’s slopes turn into hiking and the views over the valley are worth the climb.
Lake days
Our “Lake It Easy” home is a three‑minute walk from Arrowhead Lake, a private community with two lakes, beaches, and kayaking and paddleboarding on the water (there is a small community registration fee for guests, which we will explain when you book). Lake Harmony itself has a public boat launch and a couple of lakeside restaurants where you can eat with your feet nearly in the water. Nearby Hickory Run State Park has Boulder Field, a bizarre 16‑acre expanse of rocks left by the last ice age, and a very good swimming beach at Sand Spring Lake.
Hiking and waterfalls
Lehigh Gorge State Park runs along the river between White Haven and Jim Thorpe. The rail trail is flat and paved, so it works for bikes and small children, and you can rent bikes in White Haven and get a shuttle back. Glen Onoko Falls is closed to hikers these days, but Hawk Falls in Hickory Run is an easy half‑mile walk and just as photogenic.
Jim Thorpe
Twenty‑five minutes south is Jim Thorpe, a Victorian railway town wedged into a gorge that looks like it was built for a film set. Take the scenic train along the Lehigh, walk up Broadway for coffee and the old mansions, and tour the Old Jail if you like a ghost story. It gets busy in October for the fall foliage weekends.
Where to eat
The Poconos are not a fine‑dining destination and pretending otherwise would not be honest. What you get is solid. Shenanigans in Lake Harmony is the local bar and does good burgers. Boulder View Tavern has the lake view. For anything fancier, Jim Thorpe has the restaurants. Most guests cook; both our homes have full kitchens, grills, and in one case a hot tub and fire pit for the evening.
See our Pocono homes or check availability. Ski weekends and summer holidays book up first.